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Raise Boring

Principles of raise boring


Efficiency and safety
Raise boring is the process of me-
chanically boring, drilling or ream-
ing a vertical or inclined shaft or
raise between two or more levels.
Some 40 years ago, the world’s first
modern raise boring machine was
introduced by the Robbins Com-
pany. It launched a revolution in
underground mining and construc-
tion, and the technique is now ac-
cepted as the world standard for
mechanical raise excavation. New
products from Atlas Copco, such
as the BorPak, concepts such as
automatic operation and comput-
erization, and techniques such as
horizontal reaming, are creating
exciting new opportunities in the
underground environment. Atlas
Copco Robbins supplies the com-
plete raise boring package for all
situations, together with technical
and spares backup.

Raise boring concept


The raise boring machine (RBM) is set
up at the surface or upper level of the
two levels to be connected, and a small-
diameter pilot hole is drilled down to Robbins 73RH C derrick assembly layout.
the lower level using a string of drill
pipes and a tricone bit. A reamer is then
attached to the drill string at the lower
level, and the RBM provides the rota- Raise boring process.
tional torque and pulling power to ream
back to the upper level. The cuttings
from the reamer fall to the lower level
for removal. Raise bore holes of over 6
m-diameter have been bored in medium
to soft rock, and single passes in hard
rock can be up to 1 km in length.
Advantages of raise boring are that
miners are not required to enter the ex-
cavation while it is underway, no explo-
sives are used, a smooth profile is ob-
tained, and manpower requirements are
reduced. Above all, an operation that
previously was classified as very dan-
gerous can now be routinely undertaken
as a safe and controlled activity.
Specific applications of bored raises
in mining are: transfer of material;
ventilation; personnel access; and ore

underground mining methods 25


Raise Boring

Clearance for derrick Overhead


erection from the clearance
transporter system for complete
derrick
extension

Typical raise boring underground site showing overhead clearance.

set up at the lower level, and a full dia- pilot hole. Stabilizers in the drill string
meter raise is bored upward. Stabilizers prevent bending.
are periodically added to the drill string The BorPak is a relatively new ma-
to reduce oscillation and bending stress- chine for blind hole boring which climbs
es. Cuttings gravitate down the hole and up the raise as it bores. It comprises a
are deflected away from the RBM at the guided boring machine, power unit,
lower level. launch tube and transporter assembly,
Blind shaft boring is used where access conveyor and operator console. Cuttings
to the lower level is limited, or impos- pass through the centre of the machine,
sible. A down reaming system is used, down the raise and launch tube, and onto
in which weights are attached to the the conveyor. The BorPak has the poten-
reamer mandrel. Stabilizers are located tial to bore holes from 1.2 m to 2.0 m-
above and below the weight stack to diameter at angles as low as 30 degrees
ensure verticality of the hole. Cuttings from horizontal. It eliminates the need
are removed using a vacuum or reverse for a drill string and provides the steer-
circulation system. ing flexibility of a raise climber.
Rotary drilling is used for holes up
Boxhole boring. to 250 mm-diameter, and is similar in Raise boring machine
concept to pilot hole drilling in that a bit
production. Standard RBMs are capable is attached to the drill string to excavate The raise boring machine (RBM) pro-
of boring at angles between 45 degrees the required hole size. vides the thrust and rotational forces ne-
and 90 degrees from horizontal, and with Down reaming involves drilling a cessary for boring, as well as the equip-
minor adjustment can actually bore at conventional pilot hole and enlarging it ment and instruments needed to control
angles between 45 degrees and hori- to the final raise diameter by reaming and monitor the process. It is composed
zontal. from the upper level. Larger diameter of five major assemblies: the derrick;
A whole host of methods of mechani- raises are achieved by reaming the pilot the hydraulic, lubrication, and electrical
cal raise and shaft excavation have been hole conventionally, and then enlarging systems; and the control console.
developed around the use of the RBM. it by down reaming. The down reamer The derrick assembly supplies the ro-
These include boxhole boring, blind is fitted with a non-rotating gripper and tational and thrust forces necessary to
shaft boring, rotary drilling, down rea- thrust system, and a torque-multiply- turn the pilot bit and reamer, as well as
ming, pilot up/ream down, pilot down/ ing gearbox driven by the drill string. to raise and lower the drill string. Base-
ream down, hole opening, and BorPak. Upper and lower stabilizers are installed plates, mainframe, columns and head-
to ensure correct kerf cutting and to re- frame provide the mounting structure
Alternative boring duce oscillation. for the boring assembly. Hydraulic cy-
methods Pilot up/ream down was a predeces- linders provide the thrust required for
sor of modern raise boring techniques lowering and lifting the drillstring, and
Boxhole boring is used to excavate raises using standard drilling rigs. Pilot down/ for drilling and reaming. The drive train
where there is limited access, or no access ream down, or hole opening, employs assembly, comprising crosshead, main
at all, to the upper level. The machine is a small diameter reamer to follow the drive motor, and gearbox, supplies the

26 underground mining methods


Raise Boring

high-speed bearings and other selected


components of the drive train assembly
gearbox, and comprises pump, motor,
filter, heat exchanger, flow meter, and
reservoir with level gauge, thermometer
and breather.
The electrical system assembly con-
sists of an enclosed cabinet containing
the power and control distribution hard-
ware and circuitry for the entire raise
boring operation.
The control console provides for both
electrical and hydraulic functions, offe-
ring meter readouts for main operating
parameters.
Computerization of the raise boring
functions is also offered, using Atlas
Copco’s well-tried PC based RCS
system.
Typical operating installation of the BorPak machine.
Acknowledgements
rotational power to the drill string and employing a planetary reduction for its
cutting components. compactness. The hydraulic power unit This article has been prepared using
is skid-mounted, and comprises the ne- The Raise Boring Handbook, Second
Four types of main drive motor cessary reservoir, motors, pumps, valves, Edition, researched and compiled by
systems are available: filters and manifolds. Scott Antonich, as its main reference.
AC, DC, hydraulic and VF. The gearbox The lubrication system ensures
mounts directly to the main drive motors, proper delivery of lubricating oil to the

Robbins 73RM-VF set up in a workshop.

underground mining methods 27


Robbins Raise Drills
... keep on raising

Ever since the first Robbins raise drill was built in 1962, it
has been a constant success. By meeting customer needs
through innovation, reliability and an unrivalled product
range, we have gained the lion’s share of the global market
– and we intend to keep it that way!

Robbins Raise Drill Systems produce shafts and raises from


0.6 m to 6.0 m in diameter, and up to 1000 m in length.

Committed to your superior productivity.


Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
Fax: +46 19 670 7393

www.raiseboring.com

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